Tent construction



y 1, 1956 ST. JOHN TERRELL ET AL 2,743,734

TENT CONSTRUCTION Filed Oct. 27, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet l lql. A

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ATTORNEY United States 2,743,734 Patented May 1, 1956 TENT CONSTRUCTIONSt. John Terrell, Lambertville, N. J., and Ernest Chandler, New York, N.Y.

Application October 27, 1950, Serial No. 192,556

6 Claims. (Cl. 135-1) The present invention relates to a tentconstruction and it particularly relates to a system of givingperformances in drama, music, comedy or for other purposes where therewill be a minimum of obstruction and a maximum of visibility.

In outdoor performances, and particularly in connection with varioussummer festivals, Chautauquas and theatre performances, it is desirableto present the performances in an outdoor setting and desirably under atent.

Considerable difficulty, however, has been experienced due to the factthat the supports of the tent, and particularly the pole supportingarrangement, greatly obstruct visibility and also gives an undesired,confined effect both to the actors as well as to the audience.

It is among the objects of the present invention to provide a novel tentconstruction, and a novel base construction for such tent constructionwhich will enable a maximum of visibility, induce a closer and moreintimate feeling between the audience and the players or performers andat the same time will give a relatively wide, open space devoid ofconfinement, in which the performers or players and the audience may bearranged in an intimate relationship without being divided in pocketsand without undue confinement.

Another object is to provide a novel tent construction of the characterdescribed in which there will be a minimum of ground support and yet amaximum of stability for the entire tent with maximum visibility betweenthe audience and the stage.

Still further objects and advantages will appear in the more detaileddescription set forth below, it being understood, however, that thismore detailed description is given by way of illustration andexplanation only and not by way.

of limitation, since various changes therein may be made by thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of thepresent invention.

In accomplishing the above objects, it has been found most suitable,according to one embodiment of the present invention, to provide a tentconstruction in which the main or center poles will be utilized but inwhich the quarter poles will be eliminated in their usual form to bereplaced by oblique quarter poles supported from and adjustable upon thecenter poles.

In the preferred construction, the quarter poles will be arranged at thelower end to be supported upon a collar, which may be verticallyelevated upon the center poles by a convenient block and fallarrangement. Atthe same time these oblique quarter poles will beadequately supported to hold them aloft in case of any separation fromthe tent structure and, moreover, both the quarter poles and the upperportion of the tent will be independently held aloft from the centerpole construction.

In one preferred system, the lower ends of the oblique,

wind or other disturbance detaches them from the tent end or the tentcanvas structure.

A third ring or collar is also provided in the canvas, which is alsoindependently supported aloft and from the quarter pole. Each of theserings or collars are provided with a block and fall arrangement toenable their elevation upon the center pole to the desired position.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists ofthe novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts ashereinafter more specifically described, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment of the invention,but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modificationscan be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims appendedhereto.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote correspondingparts throughout the several views:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a tent construction according to thepresent invention.

Fig. 2 is a side sectional view taken upon the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of one of the center poleconstructions, showing the rings or collars thereon for carrying thequarter poles and the canvas together with the associated block and fallarrangement.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary transverse horizontal sectional view upon theline 4-4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary transverse horizontal sectional view upon theline 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary transverse horizontal sectional.

view upon the line 6-6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary transverse horizontal sectional view upon theline 7-7 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic top plan View of the arrange- 1 line 10--10 ofFig. 8, showing the relationship of the orchestra pit to the stage.

Figs. 11 and 12 show an alternative method of con nection of the quarterpoles to the collar riding on the center pole, Fig. 11 being a verticalsectional view upon the line 11-11 of Fig. 12 and Fig. 12 being a sideelevational view.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown a tent A with the side canvasB and the top canvas C.

The tent A has the center pole D and the arrangement E.

The stage F is set centrally with a depressed orchestra pit G, and theseating arrangement H is arranged in a bowl encircling the stage P.

Referring to Figs. 3 to 7, there is shown the lower collar or ring I forsupporting the lower ends of the quarter poles E.

quarter pole The ring or collar K also fits upon the center pole 1),.

and affords an intermediate support for the quarter poles E, while thering or collar L affords a support for the canvas C. The ground isindicated at M.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2, it will be noted that theground M comes to its lowest point at 10 and elevates at 11 so as tosupport the seats 12. The ground 13 at the end of seats 14 will slopedownwardly so as t to carry drainage in the direction indicated at 14.

it will be noted that the lower end 25 of the skirt portion B of thetent A extends beyond the peak 15.

The center poles D are supported on the ground at 16 outside of thestage F.

The orchestra pit G extends into the ground either part way or all theway around the stage P.

The top ends 17 of the center poles are provided with metal caps 13 (seeFig. 3), of which eyes 19 permit attachment of the guy wires 20 whichsupport the poles from the ground.

As shown in Fig. 3, at the top of the center pole or mast D there areprovided three rings 30 to which are attached the double blocks 31, 32and 33 (see also 1 4).

l The block 31 carries the rope or tackle 34 and 35.

p The rope or tackle extends down to the single block or pulley36 whichis connected by the chain 37 to the saddle 38 forming part of the collarJ.

This collar J has a plurality of double ears or yokes 39 which receivethe eyes 40 on the caps 41 at the lower end of the quarter poles E.

The lower ends of the quarter poles are provided with the pivot mounts42 consisting of pins or bolts extending through the yokes 39 and eyes41) (see Figs. 3 and 6).

l The ropes 35 extend down to the bottom blocks or pulleys 43 connectedby the hook-and-eye 44 to the lower end 45 of the center poles or mastsD.

The masts D are provided with cleats or supports 46, upon which thecables or ropes 35 may be wrapped to fix the collar 3 or saddle 38 inany desired position.

In respect to the collar or safety'bail ring K, shown best in Figs. 3and 5, this bail ring is connected to the safety wires or cables 55,which are connected to the quarter poles at 56 and to the bails at 57.

The wire or chain member 58 extends from the bail or collar to thesingle block 59. The block 59 connects to a cable 61) which extendsthrough the double block 32 and down, as indicated at 61, to the singlepulley or block 62 at the base 45 of the mast D.

The block or tackle 62 is connected by the hook and eye arrangement 63to the lower end 45 of the center pole and the lower end of the rope, asindicated at 64 may be wrapped around the cleats 46 to hold it inposition.

The top bail, ring or collar L is fixed in and holds the canvas C up andit is connected by the eye 75 and the block 76 to the cable or ropearrangement 7'7. This cable or rope extends downwardly, as indicated at78, to the lower tackle 79 connected by the hook-and-eye 80 to the lowerend 45 of the center pole or mast D.

The upper end of the quarter poles E are provided with the spindles 90which project through openings 91 in the tent canvas and are mounted onthe caps 92.

The tent canvas is also provided with an eye 93 adjacent the openings 91which enables a connection to a jump rope 94. The jump rope 94 iswrapped around the top of the quarter pole E and prevents jumping of thetent canvaS ofi the top of the pole E during bellying or strong winds.

In operation the saddle J and the bail rings L and K are elevated bymeans of pulling on the ropes 47, 64 or 81. The ropes will then be drawnup through the tackles or single blocks 43, 62 and 79, the double blocks31, 32 and 33, and the single pulleys 36, 59 and 76.

When the canvas C and the quarter poles E are elevated to the properposition, the tent will be as shown in Fig. 2, with the quarter poleslifted out of any possible obstruction between the audience position Hand the stage indicated at F.

After the ropes have been tied around the cleats 46, they may be readilyremoved and the various elements adjusted for different wind conditions,due to the stretching of the canvas or loose ends of the canvas, withoutdifiiculty and without disturbance of the performers.

At the same time the bowl formed at 11 will be free of moisture orrunning water, since all drippage from the canvas A will be down overthe descending portion of the ground 13 in the direction indicated bythe arrow 14.

As indicated in Fig. 2, there will be a maximum space available withinthe tent, permitting circulation of air and also eliminating any senseof confinement or pocketing of the audience.

As shown in Fig. 3, the quarter poles B may serve to carry the lightingarrangements, as indicated at R in Fig. 3. The vertical suspension rodis supported by the collar 126 upon the quarter pole E. This rod 125 maycarry the electrical connections 127, At its lower end 128 it alsocarries the arms 129 upon which the lamp or lamps 130 may be adjustablysuspended.

As shown upon Figs. 8, 9 and 10, the stage F may be provided with anencircling, annular lower stage portion onto which characters may stepwhen they want to partly withdraw themselves from the attention of theaudience. They may hold themselves in this position during such periodof minimum attention until they assume their prominent role and stepback upon the stage F.

This offset annular stage portion, as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, is abovethe lowest portion of the audience bowl, as indicated at 141, and itwill terminate at each side 142 from the orchestra pit 143.

The aisles 144, 145, 146 and 147 will normally extend down to the lowestportion 141 of the audience bowl.

Two or more aisles, however, desirably at opposite positions of thestage P, may have runways 148 and 149 to permit an actor to descend theaisles 144 and 147 to go directly upon the stage F Without descendingbelow the level of the stage and passing over the annular, lower stageportion 140.

By this arrangement it is possible for an entering actor or character toachieve maximum attention as he or she descends the aisles 144 or 147 orpasses upon the runway 148 or 149 and. upon the stage F withoutappearing to descend away from the audience.

At the same time where more emphasis is to be laid upon certaincharacters or actors than upon others who are not to be withdrawn fromthe stage, they may partly descend upon the annular portion and permitconcentration of the audience to be directed upon those characters oractors in more elevated position upon the main portion of the stage F.

Referring to the embodiment of Figs. 11 and 12, there is shown analternative for the collar arrangement I in Figs. 3 and 6.

In Fig. 11 the collar T has a circular sleeve portion 160. To the sidesthereof at spaced intervals are welded or bolted the base elements 161of the U-brackets 162 having the upper leg 163 and the lower leg 164.The brackets 163 and'164 are provided with openings to receive thepivotal rod 165, which is fixed in position by means of the pin 166,where the rod 165 projects at 167 below the flange 164.

The upper part of the rod 165 is provided with the shoulder 168 and theclevis 169 carrying the pivotal pin 170.

The ear 171 on the collar 172 also fits upon said pivotal pin within theclevis 169. The quarter poles U then extend upwardly to support thecanvas in the same manner as the quarter poles E of Fig. 3.

This quarter pole arrangement is advantageous inasmuch as it permitseasier and less laborious mounting of the quarter poles U upon thecollar T.

' While there has been herein described a preferred form of theinvention, it should be understood that the same may be altered indetails and in relative arrangement of parts within the scope of theappended claims.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of theinvention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, What'isclaimed is:

1. In a tent construction, a center pole centrally supporting the canvastop, said center pole having a collar loosely fitting thereon andslidable upwardly and downwardly on said center pole and a plurality ofquarter poles extending obliquely upwardly and outwardly from saidcollar on said center pole substantially above the audience level andsupporting the canvas top at their upper ends, a slide ring slidableupwardly and downwardly on said center pole, said slide ring beingpositioned above said collar and mounted on said center pole and beingattached to the canvas top at a position above the sliding collar andindependent adjustment cables extending along said center pole one ofwhich is connected to said collar and the other of which is connected tosaid slide ring for adjusting the height of the canvas top and height ofthe lower ends of the quarter poles.

2. In a tent construction, a center pole centrally supporting the canvastop, said center pole having a collar loosely fitting thereon andslidable upwardly and downwardly on said center pole and a plurality ofquarter poles extending obliquely upwardly and outwardly from saidcollar on said center pole substantially above the audience level andsupporting the canvas top at their upper ends, the lower ends of saidquarter poles being pivotally connected to said collar mounted to slideupon said center pole, a slide ring slidable upwardly and downwardly onsaid center pole, said slide ring being positioned above said collar andmounted on said center pole and being attached to the canvas top at aposition above the sliding collar and independent adjustment cablesextending along said center pole one of which is connected to saidcollar and the other of which is connected to said slide ring foradjusting the height of the canvas top and height of the lower ends ofthe quarter poles.

3. In a tent construction, a center pole centrally supporting the canvastop and a plurality of quarter poles extending obliquely upwardly andoutwardly from a position on said center pole substantially above theaudience level and supporting the canvas top at their upper ends, saidcenter pole carrying three n'ng members and being provided with means toelevate said ring members to desired positions, the lowermost ringmember supporting the lower ends of the quarter poles, the intermediatering member supporting the center portions of said quarter poles and thetop ring member supporting the canvas top, said intermediate ring memberhaving cables connected thereto at one end which at their other end areconnected to an intermediate portion of the quarter poles.

4. A tent construction comprising a fabric top covering, center polesfor supporting said covering, top, intermediate and bottom encirclingmembers encircling the center poles and mounted in superposedrelationship on each center pole to slide up and down on each centerpole, the top encircling member being attached to the covering, aplurality of oblique quarter poles supporting said covering around saidtop encircling member at their upper ends and mounted on the bottomencircling member at their lower ends, and said intermediate encirclingmember supporting said quarter poles intermediate their length, andindependent cables extending vertically along said center poles, one ofsaid cables at each pole being connected to the top encircling member toelevate and lower the same and another of said cables at each centerpole being connected to the bottom encircling member to elevate andlower the same.

5. The tent construction of claim 4, said encircling members beingformed by spaced rings mounted to slide upon said center poles.

6. The construction of claim 4, said encircling member for said lowerends of said quarter poles having pivotal connections for the lower endsof said quarter poles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 32,861Davis July 23, 1861 641,586 French Jan. 16, 1900 645,704 Downs Mar. 20,1900 858,875 Knabenshue July 2, 1907 892,698 Whinnery July 7, 19081,095,362 Swinland May 5, 1914 1,449,894 Dial Nov. 27, 1923 1,559,739Brown Nov. 3, 1925 FOREIGN PATENTS 8,864 Great Britain of 1903

